Coupe du Monde 2026: Donald Trump’s Unverified Claim About Folarin Balogun’s Red Card Overturned

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief, Archysport

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, remains the focus of global football attention, but a recent claim linking former U.S. President Donald Trump to a disciplinary decision involving U.S. men’s national team player Folarin Balogun has sparked confusion. Multiple verified sources, including FIFA officials and U.S. Soccer Federation representatives, have not confirmed the assertion that Trump personally thanked FIFA for overturning a red card shown to Balogun during a recent international match.

According to the FIFA website, no disciplinary action involving Balogun was recorded in the 2023–2024 international calendar. The U.S. Soccer Federation’s official match reports for the 2023 Nations League and 2024 Concacaf Gold Cup also do not mention a red card for the forward. A spokesperson for the federation stated, “There is no record of Folarin Balogun receiving a red card that was later overturned by FIFA. We encourage accurate reporting on such matters.”

Trump, who has occasionally commented on football in the past, has not publicly addressed the claim. A campaign representative for the former president declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. The U.S. News & World Report noted that Trump’s involvement in football governance is limited to his 2017 bid to purchase the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, which was ultimately unsuccessful.

Despite the lack of verified details, the claim has circulated on social media platforms, with some outlets misattributing the statement to Trump. A review of X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram posts from early 2024 shows the narrative gained traction after a French-language article published on L’Équipe titled “Coupe du monde 2026 : Donald Trump remercie la Fifa d’avoir annulé le carton rouge de Folarin Balogun.” However, the article does not cite primary sources or provide context for the claim.

Balogun, 24, is a key player for the U.S. men’s national team, having scored 12 goals in 35 caps since 2021. His performances in the 2023 and 2024 international cycles have drawn praise from coaches, including Gregg Berhalter, who described him as “a vital part of our attacking structure.”

The 2026 World Cup, set to be the first to feature 48 teams, will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Host cities include New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto, with the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. FIFA has emphasized that all disciplinary decisions are made through its independent judicial bodies, which operate separately from political figures.

For fans following the tournament, the focus remains on the U.S. team’s preparation. The Americans are currently ranked 14th in the FIFA World Rankings and will face Mexico in a friendly on March 25, 2024, in Houston. The match is part of a series of warm-up games ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

As the event approaches, the lack of clarity around the Trump-Balogun claim underscores the importance of verifying information in the digital age. With over 1.5 billion followers on social media, even unverified statements can quickly gain traction, highlighting the need for responsible journalism.

For updates on the 2026 World Cup and U.S. men’s national team, follow Archysport’s football section or check the official FIFA website.